Lebanon

Lebanon, a mountain-range in Syria, extending from the latitude of Homs in the north (34° 43' N.) to that of Mount Hermon (33° 24' N.) in the south. The word Lebanon is derived from a Semitic root meaning 'white;' and this name is given to the mountains, not because their peaks are covered with snow (as they are even in summer), but because of the whitish colour of their rocks. The mountains belong geologically to the Cretaceous system, and consist principally of limestones and chalks. They are divided into two parallel ranges, the Lebanon on the west and the Anti-Lebanon (or more correctly Anti-Libanus) on the east. Between them lies the deep valley of the Bukâ'a (the ancient Cole-Syria), which is from 4 to 6 miles wide, and is watered by the rivers Litany and El-Asi (the ancient Orontes). The former flows south-westwards, then, turning abruptly to the west, reaches the sea a little north of Tyre; whilst the latter flows in the opposite direction, and, after crossing the plains of Hamath, likewise turns to the west to the Mediterranean. The highest summits occur in the north in both ranges, but are higher in Lebanon than in Anti-Lebanon: in the former they vary from 10,018 (El-Kazib) to 7000 feet and less, and in the latter are about 8000 or 9000 feet. In both ranges the eastern versant is the steeper and sterner. The western slopes of Lebanon are broken by numerous deep transverse valleys, running between the spurs that the main chain sends down to the very edge of the sea, where they often terminate in bold headlands. The western slopes of Anti-Lebanon are not so much cut up by valleys as those of Lebanon, but are more barren and more broken by crags and bare rocks. The valleys and the lower slopes of the hills are generally verdant with vegetation. The vine is extensively grown, and wine is made, but is all consumed at home. Mulberry-trees figure prominently; for the manufacture of silk is one of the most important industries of the mountaineers—it was introduced from China in Justinian's time. Olive-groves and orchards (nuts and figs) abound everywhere. The higher slopes are in many districts covered with forests of oak, cypress, pine, plane, &c. Contrary to the current belief, remains of the great cedar forest of Solomon's time exist in more places than the single grove of 377 trees at the head of Kedisha Valley (see CEDAR). Thickets of low scrubby bushes, generally thorny, and often aromatic, are found at nearly all altitudes. Tobacco, wheat, barley, and millet are the chief crops cultivated. Owing to the elevated situation, the climate is healthy and bracing. Streams of clear water are numerous. The inhabitants (estimated at 221,000 in all) are a hardy, ruddy race of people, of Syrian (Aramæan) descent, who keep large herds of sheep and goats. The predominating element is the Maronites (q.v.), more than two-thirds of the total; next come the Druses (q.v.). Besides these there are Mohammedans, members of the Greek Church, Metawilê (a sect of Shiite Moslems), and a few converts of the American Protestant and the Roman Catholic missionaries of Beyrout. After the bloody quarrels of the Druses and Maronites in 1860, the district of Lebanon was separated (1861) from the Turkish pashalik of Syria, and put under a Christian governor, the European powers constituting themselves the 'guardians' of the new province. See Conder's Palestine (1889) and Baedeker's Palestine by Dr A. Socin.